Dodgers’ Taylor Trammell is Ready to Play Small Ball
New Dodgers outfielder Taylor Trammell flashed some pop last year. A consensus top-100 prospect in Major League Baseball prior to the 2018, 2019, and 2020 seasons, Trammell finally appeared to deliver on his power potential in 2023.
In 85 games with Triple-A Tacoma, a Seattle Mariners affiliate, Trammell slugged 21 home runs and hit 20 doubles, good for a .530 slugging percentage. For whatever reason, the power didn’t translate to the majors. Trammell hit three home runs in 22 games with the Mariners — his poor performance obscuring the power profile he had put together at Triple-A.
Seattle loaded up on outfielders this past offseason, trading for Luke Raley and Mitch Haniger in separate deals in January. By the end of spring training, Trammell was out of a job.
The Dodgers claimed Trammell off waivers and added him to their major league roster when Jason Heyward was placed on the 10-day injured list last week. Monday, Trammell was in the Dodgers’ starting lineup for the first time against the Minnesota Twins.
If last year is any indication, the Dodgers appear to have invested in the new-look, power-hitting version of Trammell. In an interview with Dodgers Nation last week, Trammell suggested last year is not indicative of his focus at the plate.
Long a stolen-base threat in the minor leagues, Trammell swiped 17 bases in 21 attempts last season at Tacoma. In spring training this year, his focus shifted to getting on base to take advantage of his speed. With new rules limiting pitchers to two pickoff throws per plate appearance without penalty, Trammell knows stolen-base threats have a chance to thrive. Not coincidentally, his on-base percentage jumped to .385 in 16 Cactus League games with Seattle.
“Pitchers are getting tired,” Trammell said. “Say hypothetically I lead off an inning, get on base, and I worked a 4-pitch walk. I get on base. He’s gassed. The guy on deck is coming in. Then first pitch, I take off. That makes his job a whole lot easier. ‘Oh, shoot, I can roll over and get the guy to third, or drive the ball to second base, get the guy to third.’ Now we’re in a great position to score that run. Fly ball, one run, steal that run — if we do that for nine innings, obviously that’s nine runs, but being able to get on the bag, drive in runs, score runs, play that type of game — I think it’s huge.”
Trammell’s first appearance as a Dodger came Friday, a pinch-running appearance in a 9-7 loss to the Cubs. Sunday, he played three innings in right field and went 0 for 1.
Monday’s start marks the first time Trammell has appeared in a major league lineup since July 23 of last year.
Photo Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
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